https://thesonic.myshopify.com/blogs/news.atomThe Sonic - News2017-07-19T12:44:00+10:00The Sonichttps://thesonic.myshopify.com/blogs/news/design-sponge2017-07-19T12:44:00+10:002017-07-19T12:51:52+10:00Design SpongeJess Conliffe
Shop Tour: An Australian Concept Store Based in an 1864 Masonic Hall
by Rebekah Carey
Pip Brett and Nick Luelf purchased the former Masonic Hall of Orange in New South Wales, Australia in June of last year and opened the doors to their concept space, The Sonic, only nine weeks later. The Masonic Hall was built in 1864, and one night when Nick was walking the couple’s dogs he saw that it was for sale, and actually had been for four years. The next day they looked at the space, fell in love with the exterior, the interior’s original beams, bricks, and hardwood floors, and put in an offer. Nick is a builder, which would prove useful in their whirlwind nine-week renovation of the space, and Pip owns a homewares store — Jumbled — and clothing store — Iglou. Pip launched Iglou in 2006 and Jumbled in 2012. Through the success of the shops’ online marketplaces and social media presences the stores were outgrowing their physical spaces, so creating a concept store with the couple’s favorite things — fashion, home goods, and coffee — was ideal timing. The classic Masonic Hall was so big that it allowed enough room to let the three businesses feel like they had distinct spaces, while still feeling open and having a clear flow.
With a tight timeframe, and limited budget, the couple enlisted old high school friends and architecture and interior design firm, Studio Esteta, to help round out their vision. The support from others also elevated the design, and most importantly helped to ensure their plan was complete so that the moment they were ready to begin their renovation, nothing would delay them. Finishing the project was a labor of love, complete with friends and family whose help made it all possible. The last project Pip and Nick are in the process of tackling now is the cooling and heating of the massive space — the latter of which will be important because it actually snows in Orange! Ultimately, the creative couple made a shop that feels both historic and modern at the same time, and one we’d be happy to get lost in while sipping a coffee and taking in all the treasures. —Rebekah
Image Above: Pip describes all the hard work that went into making their dream a reality, “Chipping render, painting walls, sanding floors… we did it all ourselves and we nearly killed ourselves in the process! Looking back, it was the greatest experience and I’m so proud and can’t believe what my husband and I (and a merry team of helpers) achieved in such a whirlwind.”
Pip lends a little insight into the history of their space, "Our Masonic Hall was built in 1864 in a traditional Masonic design style with references to Eygptian architecture and ancient Greek symbols." Pip continues, "We re-painted the façade white and exposed the original Greek emboss on the façade. Introduced black steel details; new fencing, signage, black steel framed doors and handrails – a common link throughout the building."
This is the cafe area of The Sonic -- Nimrod's. In the Jumbled and Nimrod's cafe areas Pip shares their renovation goals, "Create a light and bright interior aesthetic – blank canvas to display the product. Raw and textural palette. Expose existing ceiling structure." Some of their favorite features of the building can all be seen from this vantage point. "When my husband and I got up in the ceiling for that very first time, we fell in love with the beautiful old beams and just couldn't believe our luck. It was even more amazing than we ever could have possibly imagined. Up there we just knew that we had to buy it. We somehow managed to purchase the old building (lots of begging and pleading with the bank) leaving us with a VERY limited budget, but I guess that is when the challenge and exciting journey began."
"There are three distinct areas in the open-plan design of The Sonic. We wanted to create a space that had a flow throughout whilst still maintaining a distinct separation," Pip explains.
"There are three distinct areas in the open-plan design of The Sonic. We wanted to create a space that had a flow throughout whilst still maintaining a distinct separation," Pip explains.
Pip admits, "I had always dreamt about a concept store - coffee, fashion, home - everything I love under one roof!" The bones of the space were always incredible, but Pip and Nick knew they could make them even more so with their goals for the inside. "We exposed all the existing trusses and pitched ceiling. Opened up existing separate interior spaces to allow for connection and spatial flow. Exposed all the original brickwork and painted it with a whitewash finish, enhancing the existing qualities of the building."
One of the three distinct spaces is the clothing store, Iglou. Pip describes her inspiration for this area: "Refined and intimate feel. Maintain existing low ceiling grid. Light and bright, but more refined than Jumbled. Constrained playfulness."
We love how cohesive, yet distinct, the three separate entities are within the space. Pictured-- Iglou, the clothing arm of The Sonic.
The perfect pink hue in the Iglou changing rooms, “Rose Nude” by Taubmans.
A dressing room that feels like it could be found in Old Hollywood or a minimalist's wildest dreams.
Pip looked on the positive side of their limitations, "Our limited budget and extreme time restraints made the renovation challenging. However, I am a huge believer that a limited budget forces you to be resourceful; to work harder in finding cheaper alternatives and to push you to think outside of the box. When this takes place, that is when the design magic happens."
With a space so big that entire living scenes can be beautifully displayed, it's no wonder Jumbled (and the other shops) have done so well in the new space.
Pip shares what she values the most in their space, "I am most thankful that The Sonic allows us to work in a big and beautiful space every day. Our new home gives our art and products room to breathe and shine, which has seen our business grow and flourish. I feel so lucky that we stumbled across this lovely old building and took a chance."
Pip explains the tight renovation schedule and their community who helped them achieve their dreams: "Because of the short timeframe we had to literally work day and night for nine weeks. Having my husband Nick as a builder saved us so much time and money. We did everything that we possibly could ourselves and had a team of dedicated family and friends lending a much needed hand. I think they realized that we may have bitten off a little more than we could chew. Without them we would probably be still renovating and/or broke!"
An added benefit of the huge space is that it allows Pip and Nick to host events and workshops as well. The lovely, and rather prolific, Australian stylist Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors, just hosted styling workshops in the space.
"Iglou and Jumbled had outgrown both of our current stores and we were looking for something bigger when we discovered that the old Masonic Hall was for sale. It ticked all of the boxes -- it had so much character, a huge inspiring space, incredible roof trusses and beams and was in a great location right in the center of town. The size and layout of the building allowed us to turn our dream of a concept store into a reality."
All smiles with Nick and Pip and their sons, Digby and Barnaby. Photo by Pip Farqaurson.
Pip shares the intention behind the design of their space, “There are three distinct areas in the open-plan design of The Sonic. We wanted to create a space that had a flow throughout whilst still maintaining a distinct separation.”
We were featured in the August 2017 edition of Country Style Magazine. Subscribe to Country Style Magazine here.
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https://thesonic.myshopify.com/blogs/news/qantas-travel-insider2017-07-19T12:11:00+10:002017-07-19T12:11:18+10:00Qantas Travel InsiderJess ConliffeWhy Orange is the City Slicker’s Tree Change of Choice
Grand Design
The stark white pillars of Orange’s former Masonic Hall frame the grand entrance of The Sonic, the stylish domain of petite dynamo Pip Brett. The 33-year-old completed a Bachelor of Design in Sydney before returning to Orange, where her mum, Kezz, ran a women’s boutique. “Mum said, ‘Just start small and build,’” says Pip. So she opened a clothes store, Iglou (which stocks labels such as Sass & Bide), then a successful homewares store, Jumbled. Pip was desperate for more retail space when, as luck would have it, her builder husband, Nick Luelf, noticed the Masonic Hall was up for sale; it was the perfect opportunity to put her two businesses under one roof. Melbourne architects Studio Esteta pared back Pip’s vivid, multilayered style to create The Sonic, a space inspired by concept stores such as Merci and Anthropologie in Paris. Spread across two light, interconnecting rooms, the store has an eclectic range of homewares and cool, casual fashion labels, plus a café, Nimrod’s. “I want The Sonic to inspire and excite,” enthuses Pip.
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Read the entire article on the Qantas Travel Insider here.
This article was published on 2nd June, 2017
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https://thesonic.myshopify.com/blogs/news/the-kj-collective2017-07-19T11:36:00+10:002017-07-19T11:57:22+10:00The KJ CollectiveJess ConliffeJUMBLED – A PLACE OF COLOUR AND STYLE
Pip Brett is the owner of Interiors and Lifestyle store ‘Jumbled’. I have been a huge fan of Pip’s Instagram for so so long, when we chatted about a feature I was seriously thrilled to share her amazing store with you all, and you will see why!
WHAT IS ‘JUMBLED’ ?
“It is a ‘jumbled’ eclectic mix of all things wonderful for your home. It’s pretty much everything that I love and want myself, all conveniently located under the one roof. I only sell things that I love and so far that strategy is working out beautifully!” Pip shares with me. She also runs a fashion boutique called ‘Iglou‘… “it didn’t seem like that big deal opening a fashion store at 22 years old” … she says … Gulp! That store focuses on bringing the best fashion brands out to Orange, a gorgeous town in country Australia. The local response to her businesses has been huge, with both now having a loyal tribe online and in store.
JUMBLED – A PLACE OF COLOUR AND STYLE
Pip Brett is the owner of Interiors and Lifestyle store ‘Jumbled’. I have been a huge fan of Pip’s Instagram for so so long, when we chatted about a feature I was seriously thrilled to share her amazing store with you all, and you will see why!
WHAT IS ‘JUMBLED’ ?
“It is a ‘jumbled’ eclectic mix of all things wonderful for your home. It’s pretty much everything that I love and want myself, all conveniently located under the one roof. I only sell things that I love and so far that strategy is working out beautifully!” Pip shares with me. She also runs a fashion boutique called ‘Iglou‘… “it didn’t seem like that big deal opening a fashion store at 22 years old” … she says … Gulp! That store focuses on bringing the best fashion brands out to Orange, a gorgeous town in country Australia. The local response to her businesses has been huge, with both now having a loyal tribe online and in store.
JUMBLED AT ‘THE SONIC’
Now this is so damm exciting … recently Pip acquired the most incredible building ( above ) , a Masonic hall, built in 1864, which she has been transformed in ‘The Sonic’ – housing both her businesses – Igloo & Jumbled.
“I had always dreamt of the idea of a ‘The Concept Store’ – coffee, fashion, home all under the one roof after visiting stores in Europe like Merci and Collete in Paris,” she tells me. With the help of designers, Studio Esteta and her builder husband Nick, they were able to transform the building in 9 short weeks into their dream store. As you can see in these amazing images, it is a building with a crisp white canvas to display all of their goodness, whilst still staying true to the history of the building … something which is very important to her … I’d think I’d like to move in right now!
Does Pip have a favourite area of your new store? She sure does … “I love the front window of the shop where you first enter ‘The Sonic’. The natural light here is total perfection and makes every photograph look magical. There is a bed with loads of layering of pattern, colour and texture, artworks that are ever-changing, hanging plants, a ‘Prickly Pear’ that spikes me every time! I style up the space and a wheel barrow cascading greenery. To me this space is a snapshot of our “more is more, less is a bore” philosophy.” Pip explains.
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Read the entire article on the JK Collective here.
This article was published on 20th February, 2017 with images by Seth Buchanan
The Sonic: Orange’s ultra hip interiors and fashion store
Located in the regional NSW city of Orange, inside a Masonic hall dating back to 1864, The Sonic is a gorgeous interiors concept store, the likes of which you’d hardly expect to find in a country town. Combining a cafe with two existing businesses under the one roof, the large, lofty white space is something of a retail nirvana.
“My husband and I purchased the old Masonic Hall and renovated it into a fresh new retail space. It is the total shop of my dreams! I’ve had my stores in several shops over the years – iglou is now 10 years old, and I’ve had Jumbled for almost five years – but this is the space I’ve always dreamed of!” says owner Pip Brett.
After completing a Bachelor of Design (fashion and textiles) at the University of Sydney, Pip swiftly opened her first retail store. “I had watched my mum run a successful fashion business for the previous 20 years, so it just seemed like a natural progression. I launched iglou over 10 years ago and focused on bringing the best fashion brands out to the country. Then five years ago, Jumbled happened – it’s an eclectic mix of all things wonderful for your home and it’s pretty much everything that I love and want myself, all conveniently located under the one roof. I only sell things that I love and so far that strategy is working beautifully!”
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Read the entire article on Interior's Addict here.
This article was published on 1st February 2017.
Image credit - Seth Buchanan
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https://thesonic.myshopify.com/blogs/news/the-country-edit2017-07-18T12:05:00+10:002017-07-19T12:05:24+10:00The Country EditJess Conliffe
33-35 SALE STREET | ORANGE | NSW
The Sonic was number one on my ‘must see’ list when visiting Orange. I had been following Pip's journey on Instagram for weeks and with the combination of my three loves; coffee, homewares and fashion I knew I had to block out the morning for this. The Sonic is a fusion of Pip's two stores, Jumbled and Iglou combined with Nimrod's Cafe. Pip worked with Melbourne designers, Studio Esteta to expose the beautiful bones of the old Masonic Hall and create a concept store, opening its doors just two months ago. And to think this space was discovered by accident with Pip's husband stumbling across this building whilst taking their pooch for a walk....what a find!
Iglou is Pip's first venture having launched this store almost 11 years ago, and has been bringing the best in fashion to the Central West ever since. With brands like sass & bide, Viktoria & Woods, Steele and Talulah - you'll be held hostage in the change rooms for hours. Complete your outfit with a pair of shoes from Hael & Jax, Jaggar or my favourite, Alias Mae.
Jumbled is a mix of all things beautiful for your home. Pip launched Jumbled five years ago and has filled the store will an eclectic mix of bright and bold treasures. I loved the bed displays dressed with plush linen from Kip & Co and Sage and Clare. As someone who is a little shy when it comes to mixing colour, patterns, and textures seeing these beds dressed in all their glory gave me the confidence to give it a go. There's a special nook dedicated to each room of your home with an assortment of larger pieces such as lounges and dining tables as well as cushions and ceramics. Pick some cushions from the huge selection and see how they work together on the lounge or lay out some of the ceramics and glassware to create an impressive look for your next dinner party.
I think by now you're ready for a coffee aren't you? Take a seat at Nimrod's cafe and enjoy a coffee and snack whilst you admire the beauty of this special space and the art which line the walls. Their grind of choice is Di Lorenzo and you'll find a selection of yummy cakes and light meals such as soup's and crusty bread rolls stuffed with gourmet fillings.
Continuing reading this article on The Country Edit here.
This article was published on 1st November, 2016 with images by The Country Edit